Introduction to the Senior Burger
The world’s probably oldest McDonald’s Quarter Pounder, dubbed the "Senior Burger," will soon be celebrating its 30th birthday. Casey Dean and Eduards Nits bought the Quarter Pounder from a McDonald’s location in Australia in 1995. The burger has been carefully stored in its original packaging and, despite never being refrigerated, remains "eerily intact" with no mold or bad smell.
The Burger’s Unusual Condition
According to Dean, a dog trainer and musician, the only change the burger has undergone is that it has gotten smaller. Nits, a bricklayer, described the burger as no longer looking like food, but rather like a work of art. The duo has taken great care to preserve the burger, storing it in cupboards, garbage bags, and sheds over the years.
The Mystery of the Burger’s Longevity
McDonald’s has responded to the myth that their burgers never go bad, stating that the longevity of the hamburger is likely due to a dry environment that inhibits the growth of mold and bacteria. The company explained that food prepared at home and then dried could produce similar results. Mike Haracz, a former McDonald’s chef, also debunked the myth, saying that it’s wrong to assume that McDonald’s burgers never go bad.
The Burger’s History
Dean and Nits never intended to keep the burger for so long. In 1995, Dean won a recording session as a prize for a Battle of the Bands competition, and after a day in the studio, he, Nits, and their friend went to a McDonald’s drive-thru. The friend couldn’t finish his burger and asked Nits to save it until his next visit. However, the friend never returned, and Nits kept the burger as a joke. It eventually became a prized family possession, with Nits’ mother even taking it to show her students at school.
The Burger’s Travels
The Senior Burger has traveled around the world, moving with Nits’ family to Europe and then back to Australia. It has been featured on Russian television, local news outlets, and even got a mention on Joe Rogan’s show. Dean and Nits have also created social media accounts for the burger, with the intention of passing it on to future generations.
Legacy of the Senior Burger
Despite being unable to get the burger officially recognized as the world’s oldest Quarter Pounder by Guinness World Records due to lack of evidence, Dean is determined to ensure the Senior Burger leaves a legacy. He is training Nits’ children to become the next bearers of the burger, hoping to preserve its story for years to come. The burger’s unusual condition and fascinating history have made it a unique piece of cultural heritage, one that continues to captivate people around the world.
